OpenAI President Greg Brockman Donated $25 Million to Trump

Major Support for Trump Administration from Tech Leaders

Donations from OpenAI co-founder and longtime president Greg Brockman and his wife Anna Brockman to former President Donald Trump's main super PAC, 'MAGA Inc.', reached a total of $25 million by September 2025. According to recent disclosures, this donation stood out, constituting nearly a quarter of the contributions in that six-month fundraising cycle.

This development marks one of the latest examples of tech executives aligning with the administration, as the Trump administration continues its efforts to aggressively support the AI industry and weaken state-level regulations that companies like OpenAI have largely opposed.

Lobbying Efforts and Anti-Regulation Moves

Brockman's million-dollar donation is not his only major personal expenditure targeting potential AI industry regulations through lobbying. The pro-AI super PAC 'Leading the Future', which Brockman is a significant supporter of, purchased ads targeting New York State Assembly Member Alex Bores, a co-sponsor of the RAISE Act, after last-minute lobbying efforts weakened the bill.

Trump's AI Action Plan pleased tech leaders by reviving a failed Republican initiative that would ban states from enacting AI regulations. The provision states that 'AI is too important at this early stage to be bogged down by bureaucracy' and that the government 'should not allow federal funds related to AI to be directed to states with burdensome AI regulations that waste those funds.'

Technology Sector and AI Ethics Debates

The political engagement of the tech sector also brings debates about AI ethics and oversight. The dangerous levels reached by deepfake technology and the content produced by some AI platforms are increasingly highlighting the need for regulation. For example, the dilemma posed by content generated by Grok for payment systems and the EU's investigation of the X platform due to such sexualized deepfakes illustrate the regulatory pressure on the sector.

In 2019, Brockman co-authored a blog post explaining how difficult it is to 'change powerful systems after they are deployed' and the 'importance of addressing AGI's safety and policy risks before they are created.' Six years later, the tone in his posts has shifted, emphasizing the importance of 'approaching emerging technology with a growth-oriented mindset.'

Brockman's Statements and Industry Reactions

In a New Year's post on X, Greg Brockman wrote that 'this year, he and his wife Anna began engaging in politics, including political contributions that reflect policies advancing American innovation and supporting constructive dialogue between government and the tech sector.' Brockman added that 'it's been great to see the president and administration's willingness to engage directly with the AI community.'

News of Brockman's donations also sparked discussion among tech workers in connection with events in Minneapolis following federal agents killing two people during an anti-immigrant raid. Tech workers from across the industry, including OpenAI, signed a letter asking their CEOs to cancel all contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and publicly condemn the department's actions.